H2O-Controlled Selective Disulfide Etherification and Thiocyanation of Pyrroles via Linear Paired Electrolysis

Abstract

A new linear paired electrolysis for H2O-controlled selective disulfide etherification and thiocyanation of pyrroles is reported, producing a series of functionalized dipyrrolyl disulfides and thiocyanated pyrroles in the absence of metal catalysts and oxidants. This transformation features multiple advantages, including mild reaction conditions, high atom and step economy, excellent functional group tolerance, and high chemo-and regio-selectivity. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction proceeds through a sequential oxidation-reduction pathway, wherein water is essential for controlling the selectivity.